Crop progress report 06/16: Apricot Harvest Began in Washington 

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 5.6 days the previous week. Western Washington saw precipitation and cooler temperatures throughout the week. Central Washington did not receive rain last week. Numerous brush fires ignited on nonirrigated scrublands. Residential evacuations were necessary, but no crops were threatened. In Yakima County, harvest bins were distributed in sweet cherry orchards with early maturing fruit varieties. Apricot harvest started. More vegetable beds were prepared with plastic and drip irrigation, with most planted using transplants. Early-planted field corn was knee high. Hop bines were roughly one third to two thirds of the way up the trellises. Pend Oreille and Spokane counties started baling their first cutting of hay. Cattle on pasture were doing well. Winter wheat looked good and began to head in some areas. In east central Washington, a hail storm passed through parts of Lincoln County on June 9. This storm contained pea- to quarter-sized hail, which caused damage to some crops. Southeast Washington received little precipitation last week and had cooler temperatures.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 10% very poor 15% poor 26% fair 44% good 5% excellent Spring wheat: 2% very poor 13% poor 33% fair 39% good 13% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 9% poor 32% fair 49% good 9% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 7% poor 15% fair 67% good 11% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat headed: 90% this week 80% last week 87% last year 85% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 31% this week 25% last week 34% last year 26% 5-year average Barley headed: 31% this week 20% last week 25% last year 32% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 72% this week 63% last week 75% last year 78% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 2% this week 0% last week NA last year NA 5-year average